From staff reports
WOODLAND Trustees of the Yuba Community College District will consider calling a bond election for the November 2006 ballot during its meeting today at Woodland Community College.
The election would be called under the auspices of Proposition 39, which permits a bond to pass with a 55 percent majority but imposes conditions of accountability and oversight.
The results of an opinion poll taken of 800 registered voters in the YCCD is the subject of a board work session taking place today from 2:30 to 4:45 p.m. in the student lounge. The regular board of trustees meeting follows at 5 p.m.
Based upon positive results indicated by the opinion poll, the board is being asked to approve a resolution that orders the bond election.
Yuba Chancellor Dr. Nicki Harrington recently observed that the district contributes $605 million to the regional economy. “For every dollar appropriated by state and local government, taxpayers see a cumulative return of $1.76. This continues to demonstrate the positive effect and the valuable contribution that the college makes to the communities it serves.”
The YCCD includes south Lake County as well as the counties of Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Glenn, Yolo, Butte and Placer. Its sites include Yuba Community College in Marysville, Woodland Community College and the campuses in Clearlake, Colusa and Sutter counties.
Harrington noted on May 10, during the regular trustees” meeting, that California Community Colleges are funded 49th out of 50 states. More than 50 community college districts among 72 in California have passed Prop. 39 bonds in the past couple of years and that most of the remaining districts are conducting feasibility studies.
A resolution before the board today determines that state funding is unable to meet the district”s facility, technology and safety needs and that in order to meet these needs, it proposes a $190 million bond. The tax levy authorized to secure this bond is limited by Prop. 39 to being no more than $25 per an assessed valuation of $100,000. Full text of the ballot proposition includes college facility projects that have been identified as having critical priority.
Specific projects being proposed for the Clear Lake Campus include:
” Upgrade technology Provide state-of-the-art technology facilities, upgrade Internet access and wireless and cable technology, build “smart classrooms” to improve technology-enhanced and distance learning, upgrade telecommunications systems, upgrade campus wide technology, replace outdated computers, replace network infrastructure equipment and install wiring upgrades.
” Expand classroom and facility capacity, construct permanent classrooms, library, bookstore and student center building Construct a 30,000-square foot permanent building with large classrooms, a library, bookstore and student services areas, which is designed to accommodate classes with four-year colleges to replace portable buildings.
” Repair, upgrade, equip and/or replace obsolete classrooms, utilities All existing structures will be upgraded to include new science/laboratory facilities and expanded facilities for food service management and culinary art instruction; and repair/upgrade plumbing, sewer and drainage systems, inefficient electrical systems and wiring and heating, ventilation and cooling systems.
Ballot text also specifies projects at the Marysville and Woodland campuses as well as Colusa and Sutter outreach facilities. Districtwide, the bond is intended to provide greater access to technology; upgrade electrical wiring, Internet access, wireless and cable technology, fiber optics and network infrastructure for computers and telecommunication systems; refinance existing lease obligations and acquire property for new facilities to accommodate a growing population and to better serve new populations in the district.
